Deep within the earthly crusts of Atlantea, stories of legends involving unexplored subterranean chambers were passed down from parent to child. Nobody knew if these chambers existed or were sensational stories of fiction to confuse the masses of extraterrestrial species living beneath the human race. These tales were fiction to the ignorant masses who had not joined their ranks. And for a select few, it was reality.

  “–Dr. Pavlov awaits us.”

  Neptune’s eyes wandered as he positioned himself in the descending elevator equipped with heat-resistant transparent glass. Even as this became the nth time he had taken it, it still left him in awe to know such a monument from an ancient civilisation survived the test of time.

  As the elevator journeyed into the earth’s core, the surrounding gemstones with various colours glittered, casting a dazzling glow upon his soulless eyes, leaving him in a bewildered, dazed state as his irises became illuminated with a seven-hued colour scheme. This rainbow-like trance induced upon him made his mind wander in the vortex of insanity only he knew.

  …And before he knew it, voices only he could hear started speaking to him again.

  “...Young Smith–” Ivan noticed his mentee had gotten stiff, a weird quirk he noticed after spending considerable time together. “–I’m talking to you.”

  “Fine.”

  With a heavy slap on his shoulders, Neptune jolted back into reality.

  “You need to visit a doctor?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Nothing.” Ivan eyed his mentee cautiously and whipped out his blueberry, noticing the connection signal to the intranet had grown weaker. The lower the elevator descended into the Earth’s core, the connectivity of their material possessions would gradually lose potency.

  …And that meant one thing.

  “We’re here.”

  A sea of cinnabar liquid and jagged molten landform awaited them. Even as the temperature surrounding them had reached inhumane levels, the advanced technology employed within this underground chamber made the atmosphere hospitable for humans.

  All around them, lava was boiling from deep under the specifically engineered platforms they traversed on. The Military Engineers had dedicated their lives to creating structures that would ensure the lives of those who innovated in secrecy would not end in such a manner. From the fruits of their decade-long research cloaked in their profession's silos, they had erected platforms, sensors, autonomous drones and mechanical assistants to ensure this environment would serve the next generation of geniuses.

  “Young Smith, are you ready?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Both men placed their hands on the biometric scanner of an odd-looking tent in the middle of the chamber. After the access control verified their identities, the tent’s automatic door slid open, permitting them entry. Compared to the molten, hellish landscape outside, the tent’s decor contrasted significantly with its snow-white interior. Apparatus, machinery, and unidentifiable objects littered this makeshift lab. Even with the layout's complexity, it still looked clean and proper.

  Technicians walked around assembling machinery for the next scheduled test run of POC (Proof of Concept) weaponry. Several staff members, with their jackets and thinking caps on, discussed ways to create foolproof blueprints for advanced projects in the pipeline. Some scientists occupied the second level of the lab, where they spent their time reading up on documentation and planning the design of algorithms that would make up several creations' operating systems. Even as they passed their subordinates, none bothered to wave, for they had reached a state where they had complete concentration on their tasks.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “Hey guys, had lunch yet?”

  Their staff were so focused that external voices could not reach them.

  “I expected that.” Ivan chuckled as one of the technicians wearing a helmet walked past him without saying a word.

  The one thing that stood out in this tent was a giant machine connected with conveyor belts weaving in and out. One could surmise this machine was not the invention of the tent’s inhabitants, as it featured an intrinsically ancient design and architecture. As the machine stood oppressively in this makeshift lab's background, one could hear gear meshing from within. It appeared and sounded like a processing plant with the engines of a locomotive truck. Its dark brown colour, with heavy inscriptions of an ancient race’s symbols carved onto its body, made it appear out of place to the designs of modern Atlantea.

  With their steps cushioned by the steel reinforcements, the silhouette of one of their comrades came into focus. Boris turned around when he heard the familiar sound of combat boots traversing the steel platform.

  “We were almost about to start the processing without you.”

  “My apologies, he was daydreaming.”

  “Again…?”

  Neptune sighed loudly before scoffing. “Don’t listen to Sir Ivan.”

  Boris smiled wryly before walking toward the engineers and instructed them to activate it. The engineers nodded their heads before typing in something for the activation sequence. “Sirs, kindly enter the multi-signature passcode string.”

  “I’ll go first.” Boris typed into the terminal before stepping aside for them to do so.

  “Thank you, sirs. Infinity Scanner activating in three…”

  The scanner began to stir into awakening.

  “Two…”

  Loud noises of clanging and banging filled the lab.

  “One. The Infinity Scanner activation procedure is complete; the treasure haul is loaded into the opening compartment.” The engineer turned to face his superiors. “When the compartment shows ‘full capacity', you can proceed with the processing.”

  “Roger that, thank you for your assistance.”

  Ivan observed the Infinity Scanner from afar. Its weaving entry and exits reminded him of the ancient past, where the ancient Atlanteans sacrificed offerings to the Gods in exchange for their blessings. Through the natural energy harnessed from the molten core deep within the Earth, the Infinity Scanner ran on that unending energy instead of traditional energy sources. Due to the oil embargo placed on the United Atlantea Federation since the closure of trade routes from the South, the North had to rely on alternative sustenance by restarting their nuclear reactors and solar panels. Once the Infinity Scanner finished processing the test subjects from the treasure haul, Project Faceless would become complete, becoming their answer to conquering the South.

  “I have a question.”

  Neptune, with his hands in his coat’s pocket, tilted his head at Boris.

  “What are you going to do with that?” Boris asked nervously.

  Neptune chuckled to himself and replied in a cold, steely voice. “We can’t waste it.”

  Boris loudly swallowed as he understood Neptune’s intent.

  “We are currently creating a new type of combat ration. You know we need time to program them to become agricultural experts.”

  Unknown to himself, Neptune did not realise a sadistic grin had formed on his lips. Ivan, who stood close to his mentee, caught a glimpse of the madness with a side-eyed glance.

  “Gentlemen, it's time to go.”

  Neptune increased his pace and walked toward his mentor. He then noticed Boris frozen beside the Infinity Scanner.

  “Hey, Boris, let’s go.”

  “Yeah…”

  Unknown to the other two, who had willingly sold their souls for their respective motivations, Boris still sat on the fence in this soul-crushing endeavour. He knew that revealing their other comrade’s health would hinder the progress of this war machine’s ambitions.

  As a Medical Officer, he failed in his duty toward his comrades.

  And as a human, he had willingly stripped another person’s right to fulfil another’s.

  How much more of this nightmare would he endure before breaking?

  “I’m sorry, Kairos.”